Brackets for assembling knockdown cabinets



H. L. BAKER Oct. 1, 1968 BRACKETS FOR ASSEMBLING KNOCKDOWN CABINETS sSheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 24, 1967 Harold L. Baker INVENTOR.

Oct. 1, 1968 H. L. BAKER 3,403,641

BRACKETS FOR ASSEMBLING KNOCKDOWN CABINETS Filed Nov. 24, 1967 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Wxw v Oct. 1, 1968 BAKER 3,403,641

BRACKETS FOR ASSEMBLING KNOCKDOWN CABINETS Filed Nov. 24, 1967 5Sheets-Sheet 5 I, I i I I "1/1 34;-

Jj/ l INVENTOR.

MXM

United States Patent 3,403,641 BRACKETS FOR ASSEMBLING KNOCKDOWNCABINETS Harold L. Baker, Wayne County, Mich., assignor of onethird toRichard J. Smith, Farmington, Mich., and onethird to Edwin J. Lukas,Dearborn, Mich. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 522,732,Jan. 24, 1966. This application Nov. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 691,095

20 Claims. (Cl. 108152) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLDSURE A bracket assemblyfor facilitating the rapid assembly of panels, shelves and the like inwhich one bracket portion snaps into locking engagement with another,with, preferably, the two portions being self biased apart to a lockedposition.

Background and summary of the invention The present invention relates toprefabricated ready-t0- use knockdown cabinets with wall panels, shelvesand the like which are provided on predetermined assembling surfaceswith quickly connectible brackets and has reference, more particularly,to novel assembling brackets.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my c0- pending applicationSer. No. 522,732, filed Jan. 24, 1966, and now abandoned.

'More specifically, the arrangement herein disclosed has to do withknockdown cabinet assemblies utilizing a pair of specially constructedbrackets one of which is provided with a plate-like base, said basebeing mounted flatwise on a coacting panel or wall surface by rivets,screws, nails, staples or other fastening means. The companion bracketis likewise characterized by a plate-like base and it, too, issuperimposed upon a surface of a shelf or other cabinet component and issecured in place by fasteners of the aforementioned type. The generalconcept lies in arranging the plates of the respective brackets at rightangles to each other, and then linking and connecting the same togetherby quick separable connecting means.

The present invention has to do with certain new and useful improvementsin such cabinets and particularly with improvements in a pair ofcoordinating brackets wherein each bracket is structurally distinct andwherein the interconnecting components are functionally designed andstructurally adapted to more satisfactorily serve the purposes desired,that is, quickly assembling the cabinet walls and shelves to facilitateexpedient packaging, shipping in knocked-down form and subsequentassembly by the purchaser. Experience has shown that cabinet componentsequipped with brackets perfected in accordance with the present conceptmounted thereon facilitate ready and reliable assembling of thecomponents into cabinetry that is amply strong and permits, if desired,the use of panels and shelves of heavier and more durable stock andresults in an attractive-easy-to-assemble cabinet.

In carrying out the principles of the invention the coacting expedientswhich render the brackets illustrated herein especially suitable andefi'icient for use on and in connection with knockdown cabinets make itpossible and practical to simply force the component parts (a wall andshelf, for example) into proximity, line up the brackets, and then snapthe latching and interlocking means, and consequently the brackets andthe component parts, together. The construction of the brackets is suchthat with the brackets mounted to the cabinet components the only toolsordinarily useful are a mallet and a screwdriver; the mallet tofacilitate the assembling step, and the screwdriver to release the latchor detent, whereby to facilitate disassembling the cabinet parts.

As will be hereinafter more clearly set forth in the description of theillustrated embodiment one bracket is of the female type and iscustomarily screwed or otherwise mounted on a shelf or the like. Theother bracket is of a male type and it is attachable to a wall surfaceor the like against which an end or edge portion of the shelf is buttedfor bracketing.

The illustrative female bracket is unique in that it embodies, inaddition to the plate-like base, a median portion having a sheath whichis pressed out, embossed or otherwise formed and which defines andprovides a female coupling member. This sheath is open along onemarginal edge and provides an entrance leading to the socket or receiverportion of the sheath. The illustrative complemental or companion malebracket is also characterized by a plate-like base which is similar inconstruction to the first-named base. The male bracket is adapted to besuperimposed upon and secured fiatwise to a pre determined area of theface of the wall or panel whereby the latter and shelf are then at andare capable of being connected together by the snap action couplingmeans.

The plate-like base of the illustrated male bracket is provided on amedian portion thereof, that is a lengthwise edge, with a right angledtongue. This tongue is identified as the main tongue and it projectsfrom the edge of the base and is adapted to be telescopingly fitted intothe female coupling. In addition, this main tongue embodies, in theillustrated arrangement, an auxiliary struck-out tongue. The auxiliarytongue is relatively flexible and resilient in bending during assemblyand relatively rigid in compression (or columnarly loaded as in use) andconstitutes and provides a yieldable but strong and efficient snap-typeretaining latch. By providing the sheath with a keeper or the like andlining up and coupling the main tongue and sheath, the latch comes intoplay and cooperatively engages the keeper. It will be noted in the.

illustration that the latch is exposed by way of an opening which isreadily accessible. Hence, by using a screwdriver or the like one canrelease the latch whenever necessary or desired.

In addition to the above it will be later observed that in the firstillustrated embodiment, the median (representatively) bottomportion ofthe plate or base of the maletype bracket is equipped with a struck-outtongue which is herein described as a resilient tang or resilient means.This tang is pressure responsive and it cooperates with a rib or edgealong the mouth portion of the sheath-type female coupling member in amanner to utilize the inherent tension of the tang to assist inpermitting a slight shift of the brackets toward each other whenassembling and when disconnecting the same but normally maintaining thebrackets in relative association minus undue play or the likelihood ofrattling and exerting a force tending to move the two bracket elementsapart.

In the second, presently preferred embodiment, correlative but improvedresults are achieved with a pair of resilient tangs, one to each side ofthe main tongue, engaging, at spaced locations, an edge of the femalecoupling member.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective showing the two brackets, the maletype bracket at the left and the female type bracket at the right withthe two brackets ready to be lined up and connected together;

FIGURE 2 is a view also in perspective and which shows the brackets inthe same order and relationship but with the brackets attached one to acabinet panel or wall at the left and the other one atop a cooperatingshelf to the right or vice versa, the brackets being here latchedtogether;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view on a smaller scale of the assemblage shownin FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is an edgeview of the brackets observing the same in adirection from right to left in either FIGS. 2 or 5, as the case may be;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-section taken on the plane of the section line 5-5of FIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a knockdown cabinet embodying certainof the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of the area labeled 7 in FIG. 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 inFIG. 7;

FIGURE 9 is a view of the structure of FIG. 7 shown in a disassembledcondition;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of one mode ofinterassociating a pair of cabinet structural members utilizing theprinciples of the present invention;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of another mode ofinterassociating a pair of cabinet structural members utilizing theprinciples of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of another mode ofinterassociating a pair of cabinet structural members utilizing theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional View of another mode ofinterassociating a pair of cabinet structural members utilizing theprinciples of the present invention.

With reference first to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the structuralmembers or component parts which are to be assembled and connectedtogether to provide a knockdown structure may take the form of typicalpanels, walls, shelves and so on. For convenience it can be assumed thatthe wall 6 is a vertical cabinet wall having a planar or fiat surface 8against which an abutting marginal edge 10 of a right angularly disposedshelf or equivalent part 12 is positioned for assembling purposes. Theflat top surface 14 is disposed at right angles to the surface 8.

While the brackets could be identified and differentiated as first andsecond brackets it is believed that because of the specific manner inwhich they are individually con structed, it is best to identify them as(1) a female-type bracket 16 (at the right in the views of the drawing)and (2) a male-type bracket 18 (at the left). Both brackets are similar,that is, basically similar in construction and purpose.

The bracket (or clip) 16 is made, for example, of case hardenedcold-rolled steel. The companion male bracket 18 is made, for example,of spring steel and the two brackets have coacting component parts whichmak it possible to line up the same and snap them together and, ifdesired, to subsequently separate them, for knockdown, storing, andshipping purposes.

The female-type bracket comprises a substantially rectangular plate-likebase 20 which is adapted to be superimposed flatwise on and securelymounted atop a predetermined surface of the shelf (FIG. 2). This platecan be and preferably is rectangular and has one longitudinal edge at 22and the other longitudinal edge at 24. The transverse end portions areprovided with holes 26 to accommodate the fastening screws or equivalentheaded fasteners or securing means 28 (FIG. 2). The median transverseportion of this plate is provided with an indented or pressed outcomponent here designated as a sheath 30. In the illustratedarrangement, the sheath is closed, that is, one end portion 32 of thesheath substantially registers with, or may, substantially registerwith, the edge 22. The other, laterial, marginal edge portions 34 areillustrated to be integral and the remaining marginal edge portion isopen and flush with the edge portion 24 and is or may be provided with areinforcing rib or guide or camming surface 36. This provides the mouthof the receptacle portion of the sheath and the sheath in turnconstitutes and provides the desired female coupling member. It will befurther noted that the median part, in the illustrated embodiment, ofthe sheath itself is provided with an embossed or pressed out riser 38which constitutes a shield. This shield has a sight opening therein asat 40 which serves a purpose to be later described. The left hand endportion of this portion 38 is lanced open to establish an outwardlyfacing edge portion which constitutes a stop shoulder as at 42 servingin the manner illustrated in FIG. 5, to establish in cooperation with anelement of the male bracket a positive stop to separating movement ofthe two brackets. It will be observed that to accommodate the notedslight shifting of the brackets toward one another there will be aslight clearance between the edges 24 and 36 of the female bracket 16and the portions of base 44 proximate thereto, as well as between themembers 6 and 12, when the brackets are fully assembled, with the end oflatch 58 abutting edge 42.

The male-type quick attachable and detachable bracket 18 comprises asubstantially rectangular flat-faced platelike base 44 having holes 46for screw fastenings 48 when the base is mounted on the surface 8, asshown in FIG. 2. The upper longitudinal edge is denoted at 50 and thelower longitudinal edge at 52. A slot is provided at 54. The lower edgeportion 52 of this bracket is provided with a right angular extensionwhich is designated as a main tongue 56. This tongue is substantiallywedge-shaped in plan, in the illustrated arrangement, and correspondsgenerally to the plan configuration of the aforementioned sheath and theleading edge 57 (FIG. 1) is adapted to be fitted through the mouth ofthe sheath so that the tongue can be lodged in place in the manner shownin FIGS. 2 to 5, inclusive, the taper of the tongue and sheath guidingthe insertion. The main tongue of the illustrated male bracket isprovided at its central or median portion with a resilient (in bending)struck-out tongue 58 which is referred to here as an auxiliary tongueand which constitutes and provides the aforementioned yieldable (inbending) snap-type retaining latch, cooperating with the edge 42. Thecentral lower edge portion of the base 44 of the illustrated malebracket is provided with another struck-out tongue 60 which is shown asdovetailshaped in configuration. This tongue for distinction is referredto as a tang and it is normally offset to provide the desired tensionapplying result illustrated in FIG. 2 and wherein it will be seen thatthe tang 60 engages the rib 36 to apply a continuing tension to thefemale bracket and a continuing spring force tending to separate the twobrackets and virtually eliminates rattling between the two brackets.Stated otherwise, this tab-like tang 60 serves as a spring or resilientmeans acting between the brackets to continuously force the bracketsapart to the limit or stop position defined and established by theabutment between edge 42 and the mating edge of tongue 58 and makes fora permanent locked joint.

These brackets or clips can be applied to any cabinet type structurewith a corner (ranging from 0 to in any knockdown or disassembled form.

The female bracket or clip which is formed of steel or a suitable gradeof moldable commercial plastics capable of accepting the male clip whichis preferably made of processed spring steel or plastic material. Themale bracket or clip locks automatically and can be released bydepressing the flap-like latch 58 through aperture 40 in the femaleclip. These brackets can be applied either by rivets, screws, nails,staples or any satisfactory adhesive.

In practice, it will be seen that the leading end 57 of thelatch-equipped male bracket can be lined up with the open mouth of thereceptacle portion of the sheath, whereby to premit the thus orientedparts to be telescopingly fitted together and to achieve the desiredsnap action and coupled result desired. The manner in which the brackets16 and 18 are individually constructed should be clear from FIG. 1. Themanner in which the two brackets are fastened in place for cooperativeassembling purposes is shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, inclusive. Theconstruction, features and advantages will be clear from thespecification and views of the drawing. Accordingly, a more extendeddescription is deemed to be unnecessary.

An improved and presently preferred form of bracket assembly isillustrated primarily in FIGURES 7 through 9 of the drawings, anddiffers from the first embodiment primarily in that the central tang 60(FIG. 1) in the first embodiment, which resiliently engages the centralportion of the edge 24 of the female element to resiliently bias themale and female elements apart, has been replaced, in the secondembodiment, with a pair of outboard spring or resilient fingers or tangs62 and 64 which are spaced to each side of the main tongue 56' and whichengage the edge 24 of the female element to each side of the riserportion 38 of the female element 16'.

Thus, the female bracket 16' (FIGS. 7-9) includes a substantiallyrectangular plate-like base 20' which is adapted to be securely mountedon one of two structural members, such as member 74, which is to beconnected to another structural member, such as member 70. This platecan be and preferably is rectangular and has one longitudinal edge at22' and another longitudinal edge at 24. The transverse end portions areprovided with holes, such as hole 26' to accommodate fastening screws orother headed fasteners or securing means such as screw 28. The mediantransverse portion of this plate is provided with an indented orpressed-out component constituting a sheath 30'. In the illustratedarrangement, the sheath is again closed, that is one end portion 32' ofthe sheath substantially registers, or may substantially register, withthe edge 22'. The other lateral, marginal edge portions 34' areillustrated to be integral with the plate, and the remaining marginaledge portion is open and flush with the edge portion 24' of the plateand is or may be provided with a deflected edge constituting areinforcing rib or guide or camming surface 36'. This provides the mouthof the receptacle portion of the sheath and the sheath in turnconstitutes and provides the desired female coupling member. It will befurther noted that in the illustrated embodiment the median part of thesheath itself is provided with an embossed or pressed-out riser 38 whichconstitutes a shield. This shield has a sight opening therein as at 40which serves a purpose to be later described. The end portion of theportion 38 is lanced open to establish an outwardly (leftwardly) facingedge portion which constitutes a stop shoulder as at 42' serving toestablish, in cooperation with an element of the male bracket, apositive stop to separating movement of the two bracket parts.

The male elements 18 of the attachable and detachable bracket comprisesa substantially rectangular flat-faced plate-like face 44' having holessuch as hole 46 to accept securing means, such as screw 48, when thebase is mounted on the surface of the structural element, such aselement 70, with which the male bracket is associated. The opposinglongitudinal edges of the plate portion 44' are denoted 50 and 52. Apositioning slot 54' may also be provided. The lower edge portion 52' ofthis bracket is provided with a right angular extension which isdesignated as a main tongue 56'. This tongue is substantiallywedge-shaped in plan, in the illustrated arrangement, and correspondsgenerally to the plan configuration of the aforementioned sheath 30, andthe leading edge 57' (FIG. 9) is adapted to be fitted through the mouthof the sheath so that the tongue can be lodged in place in the mannerillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the taper of the tongue and sheath guidingthe insertion. The main tongue of the illustrated male bracket isprovided at its central or median portion with a stuck-out tongue 58'which is resilient in bending but relatively rigid when columnarlyloaded, which is referred to here as an auxiliary tongue and whichconstitutes and provides the aforementioned yieldable (in bending,during insertion) snap-type retaining latch, having an inwardly(rightwardly) facing edge 59 cooperating with the edge 42 on the femalemember.

In this embodiment, the male plate portion 44' is provided with a pairof depending resilient spring fingers or tangs 62 and 64 disposed toopposite sides of the tongue 56' and extending into substantialcoplanarity with the undersurface of that tongue portion. Each isdeflected, during manufacture, forwardly (in the direction of theprojecting tongue) of the plane of the body of the plate 44 by a smallamount (somewhat more than the thickness of the metal in the illustratedarrangement). Similarly to the relationships established in thefirst-illustrated embodiment, when the main tongue 56' of the maleelement 18' is slipped into the sheath of the female bracket element 16,tangs 62 and 64 engage outboard portions of the edge 24' of the femaleelement 16' prior to the point in the travel of the male tongue 56' atwhich the inwardly facing edge 59' is aligned with the edge 42' of thesheath 30'. As a result, additional movement of the main tongue 56' ofthe male member into the female member is required to establish lockingrelationship. This additional increment of movement can be accomplishedby hand or with the use of a mallet. As the tongue 56 is forced furtherinto the sheath 30', the tangs 62 and 64 are resiliently deflectedtowards planarity with the body of the plate 44' by virtue of theirengagement with the edge 24 of the female element 16'. This deflectionis desirably within the elastic limit of the material so that the tangs62 and 64 exert a continuing significant force against the femaleelement 16' opposing such further insertion. When the tongue 56' hasbeen moved into the sheath 30' sufliciently to bring the edge 59' of themale element to and slightly beyond the edge 42 of the female element,and auxiliary tongue 58 which is cammed downwardly toward planarity withthe remainder of the main tongue 56' by the undersurface of sheath 30'during the insertion, will snap back towards its free position to aposition illustrated in FIG. 8 in which the inwardly facing edge 59' isin engagement with the outwardly facing edge 42', to lock the twobracket elements together. When this occurs, the tangs 62 and '64 aredeflected, are under resilient tension,

and will exert a continuing force tending to move the fe-' male bracketelement 16' away from the male bracket element 18' and hence tending toforce edges 42' and 59' into tight abutting engagement. Thus there isagain in this embodiment a continuing spring force tending to separatethe two bracket elements, resulting, in this case, from the deflectionof the cantilever spring elements or tangs 62 and 64 which tends toseparate the two bracket elements and which forces the bracket elementsapart to the limit or stop position defined and established by theabutment between the edges 42 and 59. This locks the joint, and hencethe structural elements of the cabinet, positively together againstinadvertent and unintentional separation and creates a uniquely solidassembled knockdown cabinet. The second embodiment is preferredprimarily in that the outboard relationship of the tangs 62 and 64established an improved rigidity of interconnection which isparticularly significant when but two pairs of brackets are used tosecure a structural element in place which may be subjected to twistingor tilting forces, such as a door stile.

While the component elements of the bracket assembly illustrated inFIGURES 7 through 9 are rigidly locked together by virtue of thecontinuing substantial spring force therebetween, the fact that thespring force is exerted in a direction intended to separate the elementsfacilitates disassembly of the knockdown cabinet if it is desired to doso. Upon the insertion of a suitable tool such as a screwdriver in theaperture and the exertion of enough force to deflect the tongue 58'sufliciently to separate edges 42' and 59', the previously restrainedsubstantial spring forces are released and the tangs 62 and 64 (or thetang in the first embodiment) causes the two elements of the bracketassembly to essentially jump apart a sufficient distance to release themajor frictional forces therebetween, so as to permit the constituentelements of the cabinet to be readily separated from one another.

While the assembled knockdown cabinet illustrated in FIG. 6 of thedrawings representatively discloses the bracket assembly illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 9 of the drawings, the principles are applicable to anybrackets, such as the bracket constituting the first embodiment,incorporating the principles of the invention. The knock-down cabinetillustrated in FIG, 6, which may represent a kitchen base cabinet or avanity, includes a pair of parallel side walls or panels 70 and 72, arear wall or panel 74, a bottom shelf 76, a sink panel 78 at the frontinterconnecting the end panels 70 and 72, a pair of doors 82 and 83hinged to the end panels 70 and 72, respectively, and a kick panel 84underlying the bottom shelf 76 and extending between the end panels 70and 72. A representative mode of associating the bracket elements withthose structural elements to constitute the completed cabinet isillustrated. The back panel 72 is connected to each of the side panel70, the side panel 72 and the bottom shelf 76 by a pair of bracketassemblies such as bracket assembly 86. In one mode, the female elementof the bracket assembly is, in each case, mounted on the back panel 74.The bottom shelf 76 is coupled to each of the end panel 70 and the endpanel 72 by a pair of brackets with, illustratively, the female bracketelements being mounted on the bottom shelf. The sink panel 78 isassociated with each of the end panel 70 and the end panel 72 by meansof a pair of bracket assemblies with the male bracket elementillustratively being mounted on the sink panel. The kick panel shoulddesirably be coupled, beneath the cabinet, both to the bottom shelf 76and to the two end panels 70 and 72. In a preferred mode of assembly,the coupling between kick panel 84 and each end panel is by means of asingle bracket assembly and a pair of such bracket as semblies are usedto interconnect kick panel 84 and bottom shelf 76, with all of thebracket portions on the kick panel 84 being male elements. A majorconsideration in the selection of the orientation of the bracketassemblies is ultimate ease of assembly.

It will be appreciated that there is a choic as to which of twostructural members shall bear the male bracket element and which shallbear the female and there is the choice of the interrelationship of twostructural elements. Thus, it will be observed that in th arrangement ofFIG. 5, structural element 12 is in end butting relationship withstructural element 6, with the male bracket element being mounted onstructural element 6 and the female bracket element being mounted onstructural lement 12. The resilient force exerted by the spring portion60 tends continuously to force the male and female bracket elementsapart to the limit position defined by the engagement between the edge42 and the mating edge of auxiliary tongue 58, that is, the spring forcewill tend to move the female bracket element 16 to the right in the viewof FIG. away from the vertical plate portion of the male bracket element18. The two structural members 6 and 12 will tend to be forced apart inthe sense of translation of structural member 12 in a planeperpendicular to th plane of the structural member 6 in a direction awayfrom optimum positional relationship. While in this case the minutemovement of one structural member apart from the other is in a sense totend to create a minute crack between those structural elements, themovement is so small as to not prove detrimental. If desired, a tongucan be formed on the left hand end of the structural member 12 to engagea mating groove formed in the base of structural member 6 to furtherimprove the rigidity of the assembly.

Other interrelationships of the bracket elements and of the structuralelements are representatively illustrated in FIGURES through 13. Whilethose figures illustrate the bracket assembly constituting the secondembodiment of the invention, they are equally applicable to the firstembodiment. In the arrangement of FIG. 10, structural element 88 endabuts structural element 90, with the left hand face of structuralelement 88 being essentially coplanar with the left hand edge ofstructural element 90, although a decorative cap 92, to conceal the endgrain of the wood or plywood, has been illustrated. A groove 94 isformed in the surface of structural element to accommodate a tongue 96formed on a structural element 88. The male bracket element 18 issecured to the structural element 90 and the female bracket element 16is secured to the structural element 88. The resilient fingers on themale element 18 will tend to force the male and female bracket elementsapart (in the sense of upward movement of bracket element 16 in the viewof FIG. 10) to the defined limit position and the two structural memberswill be forced apart in the sense of translation of structural member 88in a plane perpendicular to the plane of structural member 90 and in asense or direction away from optimum position.

The arrangement of FIG. 11 is similar except that it illustrates thatthe tongue and groove relationship is not imperative.

In the arrangement of FIG. 12, structural element 98 is in end buttingrelationship with structural element 100, with the lower (FIG. 10)surface of the element 98 being essentially coplanar with the lower endof the element 100. In this case, the female bracket element 16 issecured to the structural element 100 and the male bracket element 18 issecured to the structural element 98. In this case the resilient forceacting between the two bracket elements will tend to cause the twostructural members 98 and 100 to be forced apart in the sense oftranslation of structural member 100 in a plane perpendicular to theplane of structural element 98. That is, the force will tend to movestructural element upwardly in the view of FIG. 12, in a direction awayfrom the optimum relationship.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 13, the end structural element102 is seated in a rabbet 104 formed along the edge of structuralelement 106, with the lower face (FIG. 13) of structural element 102either being effectively coplanar with the end of structural element 106or, as illustrated, displaced slightly therefrom. In this case the malebracket element 16 is mounted on the structural element 106 and thefemale bracket element 18' is mounted on the structural element 102 sothat the two structural members will tend to be forced apart in thesense of translation of structural element 102 in a plane perpendicularto the plane of structural element 106. As in all other cases, themovement is minute and continues only to the limit position defined bythe engagement between the auxiliary tongue on the male element and themating face of the sheath of the female element. It will be observedthat the relative positions of the two bracket elements 16 and 18' inthe arrangement of FIG. 11 can be reversed, in which event the twostructural elements will be urged apart in the same sense as they are inthe arrangements of FIG. 13.

To guide the user of the invention, certain of the dimensionalrelationships (all presented in inches) of a representative constructedform of the bracket assembly of FIGS. 7-9 are presented. The maleelement is made of 0.040 cold rolled annealed spring steel, SAE 1050.The main plate 44 is 0.77 by 1.50 overall. The main tongue 56' is 0.88wide at its base and tapers at about 20 down to 0.53. It is about" 0.70long measured from the rear face of plate 44'. It is bent from plate 44'at a 0.03 radius. The auxiliary tongue 58' is about 0.30 wide at end 59and tapers at about 20, each side, over its length of about 0.26. It isdeflected upwardly, in its free position, so that the upper edge of itssurface 59' is about 0.06 from the upper surface of the main tongue 56'.

From the face 59' to the adjacent face of plate 44' is about 0.22.

Each spring finger, such as finger 62, is about 0.22 long and about 0.23wide, with the lower ends thereof being approximately coplanar with theunder surface of the main tongue 56'. Each is bent forwardly so that inits free position the forwardmost edge is about 0.06 from the nearestface of the plate 44".

The female element is made of 0.040 SAE 1010 cold rolled steel and isabout 0.75 by 1.50 in overall size. The sheath 30' is conformed toreadily accommodate the main tongue 56. The upper surface thereof isdeflected from the main surface of the plate sufliciently to define,with the surface of the structural element with which it is associated,a cavity of appropriate height to effectively trap the thickness of thetongue 56'. In the constructed unit, the distance between the lowersurface of the sheath and the lower surface of the plate was about 0.045to accommodate the 0.040 main tongue acceptably tightly.

The edge 42' is about 0.190 from the forwardmost edge 24 of the femalebracket and the riser 38' is raised suificiently to accommodate theauxiliary tongue 58 as it snaps in place. In the constructed unit, thetotal depth between the lower or under surface of the plate 20' and thelower or under surface of the deepest part of the riser 38 was about0.1.

The camming lip 36' was formed by deflecting about an 0.08 wide edgeportion of the sheath 30', adjacent the mouth opening, upwardly at abouta 30 angle. This causes the edge of the lip 36' to be spaced away fromthe plane of the edge 24' by about 0.010. This insures that theengagement between the two bracket elements, in a separating sense, isbetween the edge 24' and the flexible fingers 62 and 64.

It will be seen that when the main tongue 56' is inserted into thesheath 30, the outer surface of the auxiliary tongue 58' will engage thesloping undersurface of the lip or camming surface 36' and be graduallycammed downwardly towards and nearly into planarity with the remainderof the main tongue 56'. The resilient auxiliary tongue will then beexerting a significant force tending to restore it to its free position,so that as soon as the edge 59' of the auxiliary tongue 56' passes edgeor stop shoulder 42' of the sheath 30, it will snap into lockedposition. In view of the latching engagement between surfaces 42' and59' (and the corresponding edges in the first embodiment), edge 42 (or42) constitutes a keeper for tongue 56' (or 56). However, well beforesuch latching occurs, the edge 24' of the female bracket element 16 willhave engaged spring fingers or cantilever springs 62 and 64 so that thefinal movement to latching position entails deflection of those springfingers. Desirably the latching point-the limit stop position-occursbefore the spring fingers 62 and 64 are deflected into planarity withthe plate 44. In the constructed unit, the dimensioning is such thatwith a unit constructed to nominal dimensions, the fingers 62 and 64will be deflected about half way between their free positions and theirfully planar positions at the point that surfaces 42 and 59 engage, soas to provide a range of tolerance. From the same standpoint, thebracket elements should be appropriately mounted on the structuralelements, depending on the conformation and the interrelation of thosestructural elements, to provide a proper joint, again with a range oftolerance. In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 the lower surfaceof the main tongue 56 of the male Jami 18' is positioned so that theouter face of structural element 74 will be appropriately positioned inrelation to the end of element 70. The female element is positioned toproperly align, in cooperation with the positioned male element, the twostructural elements in all the objects of the invention, it will beappreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variationand change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning ofthe subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Bracket means for assembling and cooperatively joining prefabricatedknockdown cabinet components such as, for example, an abutting end of ahorizontal shelf to a companion face of a supporting wall, panel or thelike comprising: a female bracket embodying a platelike base adapted tobe superimposed flatwise upon and secured to a predetermined surface ofsaid shelf, a portion of said base having an integral offset sheathdefining and providing a female coupling member, said sheath being openalong one marginal edge and providing an entrance, a male bracketcomplemental to said female bracket and also embodying a plate-like basesimilar to said first-named base and adapted to be superimposed upon andsecured flatwise to a predetermined area of the face of said wall in amanner to assume an angle of substantially relative to said first-namedplate-like base and having a portion of one lengthwise edge providedwith a rigid main tongue disposed substantially at right angles to saidbase and projecting through said entrance telescopingly into said femalecoupling member and defining and providing a male coupling member, saidmain tongue having an auxiliary tongue struck out therefrom, saidauxiliary tongue being flexible as well as resilient and constitutingand providing a yieldable snap-type retaining latch, said sheath havinga keeper, and said latch being retentively but releasably engageablewith said keeper, the entrance of said sheath being provided with astraightacross rib defining an offset lip, a portion of the base of saidmale bracket having a portion struck out and defining and providing atang, said tang being resilient and flexed to assume an angularly offsetposition, said tang being constantly under inherently present springtension and having a free end portion abutting one portion of saidfemale bracket.

2. The bracket means according to claim 1 and wherein said sheath issubstantially wedge-shaped in plan, said main tongue being likewisewedge-shaped in plan and proportional in size to fit into the pocketingand coupling portion of said sheath. I

3. The bracket means according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said baseof said male bracket further has a second portion struck out anddefining and providing another tang, said other tang being resilient andflexed to assume an angularly offset position, said other tang beingconstantly under inherently present spring tension and having a free endportion abutting a portion of said female bracket spaced from said oneportion of said female bracket.

4. Bracket means for assembling and cooperatively joining prefabricatedknockdown cabinet components such as, for example, an abutting end of ahorizontal shelf to a companion face of a supporting wall, panel or thelike comprising: a female bracket embodying a plate-like base adapted tobe superimposed flatwise upon and secured to a predetermined surface ofsaid shelf, a portion of said base having an integral offset sheathdefining and providing a female coupling member, said sheath being openalong one marginal edge and providing an entrance, a male bracketcomplemental to said female bracket and also embodying a plate-like basesimilar to said firstnamed base and adapted to be superimposed upon andsecured flatwise to a predetermined area of the face of said wall in amanner to assume an angle of substantially 90 relative to saidfirst-named plate-like base and having a. portion of one lengthwise edgeprovided with a rigid main tongue disposed substantially at right anglesto said base and projecting through said entrance telescopingly intosaid female coupling member and defining and providing a male couplingmember, said main tongue having an auxiliary tongue struck outtherefrom, said auxiliary tongue being flexible as well as resilient andconstituting and providing a yieldable snap-type retaining latch, saidsheath having a keeper, and said latch being retentively but releasablyengageable with said keeper, a portion of said sheath embodying a stopshoulder constituting and serving as said keeper, said latch having afreely flexible free terminal end releasably abutting said shoulder, amedian portion of the wall of said sheath being indented and thus formedinto a latch-accommodating-and-pocketing shield, said shield having anorifice exposing and permitting access to be had to said latch, wherebya screwdriver or the like can be aligned with and passed through saidorifice, engaged with said latch and the latter forcibly depressed anddisengaged from said stop shoulder.

5. The bracket means according to claim 4, said sheath beingsubstantially wedge-shaped in plan, said main tongue being conforminglywedge-shaped in plan and mated in size to fit into the pocketing andcoupling portion of said sheath.

6. The combination of claim 4 in which said stop shoulder facesoutwardly away from said plate-like base of said male member, and inwhich said free terminal end of said latch which is abutted by saidshoulder faces inwardly toward said plate-like base of said male member.

7. In combination, a cabinet wall having a flat face, a male-typebracket comprising a substantially rectangular base plate having fiatfaces and provided along one longitudinal marginal edge with an integralright angularly bent main tongue, said main tongue being rigid andhaving a resilient auxiliary tongue struck out from a median portion,said auxiliary tongue being offset and inclined toward said plate andconstituting and providing an end thrust pressure responsive snap-actionlatch, a portion of the body of said base plate adjacent said onelongitudinal edge of said plate having a limited portion struck out,flexed outwardly, and defining and providing an antirattling tang, saidtang being resilient and spaced from said tongue.

8. The structure according to claim 7 and, in combination, a secondcabinet constructing wall having a flat top face, and a female-typebracket fixed on said top face and having a tongue accommodating sheathfor telescoping reception and releasable retention of said tongue, saidsheath having a screwdriver opening therein and said latch beingalignable with said opening.

9. Bracket means for interconnecting in preselected generallyright-angled interrelationship first and second rigid structural membersconstituting elements of a prefabricated cabinet or the like comprisinga male bracket element having a first portion securable to one of saidrigid members and having a projecting tongue portion, a female bracketelement having a portion securable to the second rigid member and meansdefining a cavity accepting said projecting tongue, cooperating means onsaid male and female bracket elements defining a positive limit stoppositively establishing a fixed limit to separating movement of saidmale and female bracket elements, and resilient means effective whensaid male and female bracket elements are engaged for continuouslyexerting a resilient force in a direction to separate said male andfemale bracket elements and continuously forcing said male and femalebracket elements apart to said limit position.

10. The combination of claim 9 in which said means defining a cavityaccepting said projecting tongue is eifective after said projectingtongue has been longitudinally inserted therein to effectivey precludemovement of said projecting tongue relative to said female bracketelement in all directions other than the direction of said longitudinalinsertion, in which said cooperating means effectively precludes alongitudinal movement of said projecting tongue relative to said femalebracket element in a separating sense beyond said limit stop position,and in which said resilient means continuously exerts a force tending tomove said projecting tongue longtiudinally in a separating sense.

11. The combination of claim 10 in which said means for defining acavity includes an offset portion of said female bracket elementestablishing a face and two side surfaces of said cavity and includes aproximate portion of said second rigid structural member establishing another face of said cavity.

12. The combination of claim 9 in which said cooperating means comprisesa portion of one of said elements having a stop shoulder facing in onedirection and a portion of the other one of said elements having a faceabuttable with said stopshoulder at said limit position and rigidlypreventing separating movement of said elements beyond said limitposition.

13. The combination of claim 9 in which said resilient means is acantilever spring finger integral with one of said elements and struckout therefrom and abutting the surface of the other one of saidelements.

14. The combination of claim 9 in which said male and female bracketelements and the first and second structural elements are movabletowards a preselected position in relation to each other against saidresilient force from said fixed limit position. v

15. The combination of claim 11 in which said cooperating meanscomprises means on one of said elements establishing a fixed abuttingface and latch means on the other one of said elements deflectable bysaid one element during insertion of said projecting tongue portion intosaid cavity and springable upon full insertion into rigid engagementwith said fixed abutting face.

16. The combination of claim 9 in which said cooperating means comprisesmeans on one of said elements establishing a fixed abutting face facingin one direction and latch means on the other one of said elementshaving a deflectable body portion inclined in the opposite direction anddeflectable by said one element during insertion of said projectingtongue portion into said cavity and springable upon full insertion intorigid engagement with said fixed abutting face.

17. The combination of claim 16 in which said fixed abutting face is onsaid female bracket element, in which said latch means is a tabdeflected upwardly from the face of said projecting tongue at arelatively small angle and points away from the direction of insertionof said projecting tongue into said cavity, said tab being defiectableby said female bracket element towards said projecting tongue duringsaid insertion and springing away from said projecting tongue upon fullinsertion thereof to a position to bring the free end of said tab intomating relation with said fixed abutting face.

18. The combination of claim 17 in which said resilient means comprisesa cantilever spring finger integral with one of said elements and struckout therefrom and abutting the other one of said elements and in whichsaid male and female bracket elements and the first and secondstructural elements are movable towards each other against saidresilient force from said fixed limit position.

19. The combination of claim 11 in which said cooperating meanscomprises means on one of said elements establishing a fixed abuttingface facing in one direction and latch means on the other one of saidelements having a defiectable body portion inclined in the oppositedirection and deflectable by said one element during insertion of saidprojecting tongue portion into said cavity and springable upon fullinsertion into rigid engagement with said fixed abutting face, in whichsaid fixed abutting face is on said female bracket element, in whichsaid latch means is a tab deflected upwardly from the face of saidprojecting tongue at a relatively small angle and points away from thedirection of insertion of said projecting tongue into said cavity, saidtab being deflectable by said female bracket element towards saidprojecting tongue during said insertion and springing away from saidprojecting tongue upon full insertion thereof to a position to bring.the free end of said tab into mating relation with said fixed abuttingface, and in which said resilient means 13 comprises a cantilever springfinger integral with one of said elements and struck out therefrom andabutting the other one of said elements and in which said male andfemale bracket elements and the first and second structural elements aremovable towards each other against said resilient force from said fixedlimit position.

20. The combination of claim 19 in which said spring finger is integralwith said male bracket element and disposed laterally of said projectingtongue in one direction and abutting said female bracket element, inwhich said resilient means further includes a second cantilever springfinger integral With said male bracket element and struck out therefromand abutting said female bracket element and disposed laterally of saidprojecting tongue in a direction opposite to said one direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,388,572 11/1945 Regenhardt28720.925 2,528,910 11/1950 Poe 248224 X 2,879,561 3/1959 Rieder28720.927 3,113,358 12/1963 Zell et a1. 28720.924

ROY D. F RAZIER, Primary Examiner.

FRANK DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

